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Toseland

If the name might seem familiar it’s because Toseland is a band fronted by double world superbike champion James Toseland. Throughout his career as a motorbike racer, music has been central to James life – so much so that he performed live at BBC’s Sports Personality Of the Year. When James was forced to retire through injury a journey into music started…

James met up with Toby Jepson (Little Angels) in March 2012 after a friend had recommended they might work well together. Jepson had no idea of James’ past but they clicked - personally and musically. James had the bones of several songs and an idea of the sound he wanted – one of the first tracks to emerge being album track Kingdoms (which James had been playing with for a while). The writing process was quick and the pair soon laid down instrumentation at Vale Studios with Jepson producing (credits include The Answer, Saxon and The Virgin Marys) and Steve Harris (Foo Fighters, U2) as engineer. James plays all the piano on the album – including forthcoming single “Renegade”. Vocals were recorded in five days at Jepson’s studio in Scarborough

James put together a band including friend and guitar prodigy Zurab Melua (Guitars), Rabea Massaad (Guitars), Dave Hollingworth (Bass) and William Stokes (Drums) and took the material live. To have something available for punters to buy they put together an EP. With no push, as such, the lead track was picked up by Planet Rock radio and A listed. The word was out…

New single “Renegade” is Toseland’s first single proper – driving rhythms and the intricate guitars of Zurab Melua overlaid by the unique and powerful vocals of James Toseland.

Toseland are proving themselves a powerful live act – in addition to a series of headline shows they have supported The Darkness, The Little Angels and appeared at Download Festival and Goodwood Festival Of Speed. The band has just been announced as main support for Reef’s 20th Anniversary tour amongst other dates.